Mechanical movement and control mechanism employing the same

ABSTRACT

A mechanical movement for controlling two rotary outputs from a single rotary input to which both outputs are slip clutched. One output is normally latched while the second output rotates in response to rotation of the input. At a first predetermined point the second output is latched against rotation in one direction and the first output is permitted to rotate in that direction in response to input rotation. Reversal of the angular direction of input rotation results in the locking of the first output while the second output is permitted to rotate in the reverse direction to a second predetermined point at which the second output is again latched and the first output is again freed for rotation in the reverse direction The outputs may be used to position tapes provided with both visible indicia and a machine readable indicia so that both visual indication of the output position and control of an appropriate switching mechanism may be obtained.

I United States Patent 11 3,586,144

[72] lnventor William C. Rogers 2,868,271 1/1959 Pickles 74/710 (X) 5365N.W. 36th St.. Miami Springs, Fla. 3,130 604 4/1964 Johnson et a1.74/650 3 3 FOREIGN PATENTS gm" j 969 51s 1/1913 Great Britain 74/650[45] Patented June 22, 1971 Primary Examiner-Allan D. Herrmann t IAttorney-Burns, Doane,Swecker& Mathis [54] ABSTRACT: A mechanicalmovement for controlling two rols Claims, 10 Drawing Figs. tary outputsfrom a single rotary input to Wl'llCl'l both outputs a are slipclutched. One output 15 normally latched while the US. second outputrotates in response to rotation of the input At a 1015- 74/155074]192/139126/100, first predetermined point the second output is latchedagainst 1 226/1 l rotation in one direction and the first output ispermitted to l llll. rotate in that direction in response to inputrotation Reversal v F16h 35/18 of the angular direction of inputrotation results in the locking of of the first output the econd out utis permitted to 756 192/22, 23, 1 rotate in the reverse direction to asecond predetermined 1 139; 226/ 1 10 point at which the second outputis again latched and the first out ut is ain freed for rotation in thereverse direction The [56] References Clled' outguts mz y be used toposition tapes provided with'both visi- UNITED STATES PATENTS bleindicia and a machine readable indicia so that both visual 3,127582 3/1964 Newhouse et a1 74/ 10. 1 5 (X) indication of the output positionand control of an appropriate 3/ 1949 Clark 74/756 UX) switchingmechanism may be obtained.

PATENTED JUN22 12m SHEET 1 [IF 3 PATENTED JUN 2 2 197i SHEET 2 [IF 3INVENTOR WILLIAM c. ROGERS ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJUNZQIJYI 3586144 sum 3 0r3 INVENTOR WILLIAM CROGERS BY 3 W awyswmilwf ATTORNEYS MECHANICALMOVEMENT AND CONTROL MECHANISM EMPLOYING THE SAME BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to a mechanical movement wherein asingle rotary input may be used to control the positions of two rotaryoutputs. In particular this invention relates to a control mechanismemploying that mechanical movement to provide a dual output switchingcontrol and a visual indication of the dual output positions.

In remotely controlled positioning systems such as systems forselectively tuning a receiver located remotely from the pilots positionin an airplane to a predetermined frequency, it has been a commonpractice of the prior art to employ a control assembly for generating anelectrical signal representative of desired frequency. The electricalsignal thus generated may be used to control the position of a tuningcapacitor or inductor or the selection of a crystal for an oscillator.

It is, however, with such control assemblies, often desirable togenerate signals representative of wide frequency ranges. This oftennecessitates the use of separate control knobs associated with variousportions of the desired range, or associated with various gross and fineadjustments. For example, one control knob may control gross adjustmentsbetween 100 and 900 kilocycles, while another may be used forcontrolling fine adjustments between and 90 kilocycles. The use of aplurality of control knobs is dangerous in that the pilots attention isrequired to release one control knob to find a second control knob.There is, moreover, time lost in the process, which time may beextremely valuable at the speeds at which todays high performanceaircraft operate.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide amechanical movement which controls multiple adjustments with a singlecontrol knob thus reducing the number of control elements required to behandled by the operator. The elimination of control knobs in turnreduces the clutter of the control panel and the likelihood of operatorconfusion in moments of stress.

Control systems, some of which are tuners, have been proposed wherein asingle knob controls both fine and gross adjustments. However, the knownproposed tuning units are intended to accomplish gross and fineadjustments of a single output system having either a severely limitedrange or a physical size which becomes prohibitively cumbersome as therange of the output increases.

It is thus another object of the present invention to provide separatewide-range output systems that may be controlled by a single inputcontrol knob without excessive enlargement of the physical size of thecontrol system.

It will be appreciated, of course, that a system of the type describedis usable not only in tuners, but also in numerical control machiningoperations and in the vast numbers of systems wherein size or otherconsiderations make the use of a single input for controlling dualoutputs desirable.

It is thus still another object of the present invention to provide anovel mechanical movement wherein the rotation of two separate outputsystems may be controlled by the rotation of a single input.

It is more particular object of the present invention to pro vide anovel tuner control head having at least two output systems coveringdifi'erent frequency ranges controlled by a single manually operablecontrol knob.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novelapparatus for controlling the movement of separate tapes each having avisual indicia to indicate to the operator the position of the tapes andeach having a corresponding machine readable indicia which may be sensedto effect appropriate control functions.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel andimproved control apparatus, wherein several outputs may be controlled bya single input.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will bereadily apparent to one skilled in the art to which the inventionpertains from the claims and from a perusal of the detailed descriptionof a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the appended drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the present inventioncomprises at least two output drum systems controlled by, and slipclutched to, a single control knob. Each drum system may include one ormore drums, one of which is normally latched by a spring biased pinwhile the other is rotatable in response to rotation of the singlecontrol knob. When the first system has been rotated in a givendirection to a predetermined limit set by a movable mechanical stop, thespring bias on the locking pin is overcome to free the second drumsystem for rotation in the same direction in response to continuedrotation of the control knob.

If the direction of rotation of the control knob is reversed, themechanical stop permits the spring bias to lock the second drum systemin its new position and the first drum system to be reversely rotated.If the first drum system is rotated in the reverse direction until asecond mechanical stop is reached, the second drum system will be freedfor rotation in the reverse direction. The control process may, ofcourse, be reversed or reinstituted in the same direction as desired.

First and second tapes may be associated with each of the drum systems.These tapes may include visual indicia to indicate the position of thetape to the operator and may be provided with corresponding indicia in amachine readable code to control an appropriate switching system bymeans of a sensor in proximity to the tapes.

THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated inthe form of a control head tuner in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the control head;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the control head shown in FIG. 1with the movable stop members shown in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the control head shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the control head shown in FIG. 3taken along the line 4-4 therein;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of the control headrespectively taken along lines 5-5, 6-6 and 7-7 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the control head shown in FIG. 1;

' FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the stop members shown inFIG. 4, with the stop members in their alternative stop positions; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the tape members controlled by thecontrol head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION General Summary Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawingswhere a control head tuner according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated, the control head may include a frame orhousing 2 having rotatable frequency control knobs 4 and 6 projectingtherefrom. The knobs 4 and 6 may be conventionally journaled forrotation in a plane normal to the face 16 of the housing 2 with the knob6 controlling the position of two endless tapes 8 and 10, and the knob 4controlling the position of two other endless tapes l8 and 20. Each ofthe tapes 8, l0, l8 and 20 may be provided with position indicatingindicia (see FIG. 10) readable through the window panels 12-15 in theface 16 of the housing 2.

In addition to the visible tape position indicating indicia on the tapesadjacent the forward end of the housing, each of the tapes 8, 10, 18 and20 may be supplied with machine readable indicia in any one of a numberof conventional codes for reading by suitable sensors (not shown)associated with a contact block 21 (see FIG. 3). The contact block 21may be conveniently mounted on the rearward end of the housing 2 and maygenerate an electrical frequency selection signal correlated with thetape position. Suitable means for transferring information from thetapes to the contact block 21 may, for example, include spring-loadedmembers (not shown) projecting slightly outwardly of the concave face ofthe contact block and appropriately spaced to cooperate with the indiciaon the tapes.

The indicia may be magnetic, electrically conductive to complete acircuit with the drum hereinafter more fully described, or simplyapertured to allow longitudinal movement of the members. Alternatively,the tapes may be opaque or transparent and the position of the tapessensed by the presence, or absence, of the impingement of light from asource within the drum on suitable and conventional photocells on theblock 21.

Other acceptable sensing structure variations will, of course, occur tothose skilled in the art.

In instances where it may be desirable not to employ tapes, the visualposition indicating indicia and the machine readable indicia may both beprovided directly on one of the drums of the drum systems therebyenhancing the accuracy of the readout of the coded information byobviating problems associated with the possibility of tape stretching.

Also, if desired, the visible and machine readable indicia may be placedside-by-side or in alternating series on either the tapes or on thedrums (if tapes are not employed). In this event, the contact block 2 orother coded information pickoff may be located at a forward and/or upperposition in the housing for cooperation with the forward drums of thedrum system. Accurate readout may be enhanced since tape stretching doesnot greatly effect the readout of the machine readable indicia by reasonof the fact that such readout is taken from a tape position closelyadjacent the visual readout position.

At the portion of the contact block 21 facing outwardly of the housing2, and mounted thereon by suitable fastening means such as screws 22,may be a rivet terminal board 24 of the type illustrated in FIG. 8. Thisboard 24 may have a plurality of output terminals 26 cooperating withthe sensors of the contact block and projecting rearwardly of thehousing 2 for electrical connection to a suitable remote tuning unithaving, for example, a capacitor with positionable plates or circuitsfor selectively connecting crystals.

In the preferred and illustrated embodiment changes in frequency may bevisually represented in the window panels l2, l3, l4 and by numericalindicia illustrated as being directly associated with the tapes. Threeother window panels 28, 29 and 30 may reveal fixed indicia to aid in theready reference to the frequency range. If desired, a magnified visualreadout may be obtained by an arrangement (not shown) including a lensmounted between the numerical indicia and the window panels. The forwarddrums may be transparent or translucent and a lamp may be mounted withinthe drums to project the numerals onto the window panels through themagnifying lens.

Movement of both tapes 8 and 10 may be controlled by reversible andseparate drum systems connected to the single input 6 in a mannerhereinafter more fully described, while movement of the tapes l8 and maybe controlled in a similar manner by the input knob 4. In the preferredembodiment, only one of the two drum systems controlled by a given knobis permitted to move at any one time due to the use of alternatelyoperable latching means.

For the purpose of clarity, the parts of the drum systems and latchingmeans primarily associated with the movement of tape 10 will beidentified by numerals in the 200" series, while those associatedprimarily with movement of the tape 8 will be identified by numerals inthe "400 series. The drive and stop mechanisms for the tapes l8 and 20will not be described in detail insofar as they are identical to thedrive and stop means of the tapes l0 and 8, respectively, but mirrorimage disposed.

The Tape Drive or Drum Systems The reversible drive systems for both thetapes 8 and 10 in clude the previously mentioned control knob 6 as aninput. This knob 6 may be fixedly attached in any suitable manner to ashaft 32 (FIG. 2) which may be journaled in an opening 34 (FIG. 5) inthe face 16 of the housing 2 for rotation in both clockwise andcounterclockwise directions. A suitable snap ring 36 may be positionedbetween an annular shoulder (not shown) of the shaft and the internalportion 38 of the face 116 of the housing 2 and the inner end 40 of theshaft 32 rotatably supported by a support block 42 (FIG. 4) mountedwithin the housing.

In FIG. 4, it may be seen that a helical worm wheel 44 is coaxiallymounted on the shaft 32 in a central portion thereof for rotationtherewith. This worm wheel 44 may be either integral with the shaft 32or attached thereto by means of a centrally located, shrink fittedsleeve 46.

The worm wheel 44 drives a double gear 48 which is mounted for rotationby means of an axially extending stub shaft 50 rotatably journaled in aside wall portion 52 of the housing 2 (FIG. 2). Thus, as illustrated,the axis of rotation of the double gear 48 may be approximately normalto the axis of rotation of the worm wheel 44. The axially internal (withrespect to the housing 2) portion of the double gear 48 may comprise atakeoff worm wheel 54 (shown in phantom in FIG. 4) that is driven by theworm wheel 44. Integral with the worm wheel 54, but axially outward(with respect to the housing) thereof is a primary drive spur 56,illustrated as having a pitch diameter less than that of the driven wormwheel 54.

It will be appreciated that the double gear 48 may alternatively bedriven by a spur gear mounted coaxially with a knurled dial (not shown).A portion of the periphery of this dial may extend outwardly of thehousing 2, and the dial may be mounted for rotation about an axisparallel to the double gear stub shaft 50.

A mating input spur gear 58, having a pitch diameter substantiallygreater than that of the drive spur 56, may be mounted for rotationabout an axis 59 defined by a support shaft 60 in a plane substantiallyparallel to the plane of the drive spur 56. This shaft 60 issubstantially fixedly secured to opposite sidewall portions 52 and 62 ofthe housing (FIG. 6).

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that all input motion to thesubsequently described reversible drum systems which drive the tapes 8and 10 is provided by means of rotation of the knob 6 as transmitted byrotation of the shaft 38 and worm wheel 44 to the worm wheel 54.Rotation of the worm wheel 54 results in rotation of the integral drivespur 56 to thereby provide input rotation for the input spur 58.

The drum systems for the tapes 10 and 8 respectively include primarydrums 202 and 402 mounted for independent rotation about the axis 59defined by the support shaft 60 (FIG. 6). As used herein, the termindependent rotation is meant to refer to the fact that either of theseprimary drums 202 and 402 will be permitted to rotate whether or not theother primary drum is held stationary. However, as will be hereinaftermore fully explained, if the primary drum subassembly 64 (ascross-sectionally shown in FIG. 6) is considered as a unit separate fromand unconnected to the secondary drum subassembly 66 (ascross-sectionally shown in FIG. 7), rotation of one primary drum whilethe input spur 58 is held stationary would result in responsive reverserotation of the other primary drum.

The independent rotational mounting of these primary drums 202 and 402may be accomplished in any suitable manner so long as, in the absence ofany external latching forces, both drums would rotate with the inputgear 58. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, this mounting isaccomplished by providing the input gear 58 with axially extendingprojection 66 fixed thereto and rotatably supported on the support shaft60. The primary drums 202 and 402 may be frictionally and coaxiallymounted on this projection, at 203 and 403, respectively, so as to benormally rotatable therewith. The primary drums 202 and 402 may,however, be held stationary with respect thereto for a purposehereinafter described.

Fixed to the projection 66 may be an annular cage member 68 having adiameter slightly less than the diameters of the primary drums 202 and402. This cage member 68 is adapted to be received by, and mate with,the annular depressions 204 and 404 in the complementary and mirrorimage disposed faces 206 and 406 of the drums 202 and 402.

A plurality of radially spaced balls may be mounted in the cage member68 to provide a driving connection between the input gear 58 and theprimary drums 202 and 402. These balls 70 may conveniently be adapted tocontact the registered annular grooves 208 and 408 (generally V-shapedin transverse cross section) in the complementary faces 206 and 406.

Thus, with the drums 202 and 402 pressed tightly toward one another, andwith the balls 70 in frictional engagement respectively with theregistered grooves 208 and 408, input rotation of the gear 58 byclockwise rotation of the knob 6 (and thereby rotation of the projection66 and cage member 68) in a clockwise angular direction would normallyresult in clockwise rotation of both of the primary drums 202 and 402.This responsive rotation is attributable to both the frictional couplingbetween the primary drums 202 and 402 and the projection 66, and to thefrictional contact between each drum and the caged balls 70.

As previously mentioned, the nature of these frictional contacts is suchthat if the input gear 58 were held stationary and one primary drum wererotated, the other primary drum would rotate in the opposite directionsince the balls 70 would also reverse rotate in the fixed cage 68.However, this reverse rotation would not occur during normal operationof the mechanism since the gear 58, rather than being held stationary,provides the input motion to the drums.

The frictional contact between the two primary drums 202 and 402 and theballs 70 is accomplished in the illustrated embodiment by placingsuitably sized, coaxial annular shims 72, 74, 76 and 78, and rollerbearing assemblies 80, 82, 84, 86 and 88 axially along the support shaft60.

One shim 72 projects inwardly from the input spur S8 and is preferablyintegral therewith while a second shim 74 is similarly associated withthe (unnumbered) drive spur of the drive assembly for tapes 18 and 20.These shims 72 and 74 may be respectively separated from the outer facesof the outermost primary 'drums by the antifriction roller bearingassemblies 80 and 82 which permit relative rotation between these drumsand the input spur gears.

The inner faces of the innermost primary drums of the two driveassemblies may be provided with registered annular depressions 90 and 92to receive another roller bearing assembly 84 for separating the twosystems thus permitting the completely independent operation thereof.

The remaining shims 76 and 78 may be respectively mounted adjacent theinternal portions of the sidewalls 52 and 62. As illustrated, one shim78 may be separated from the outer face of the input spur (unnumbered)of the drive assembly for tapes I8 and by a further input roller bearingassembly 86. The other shim 76 may be similarly separated from the drivespur 58 by a bearing assembly 88. This latter shim 76 may be fitted in adepression 94 in the sidewall 52 and may be axially adjustable by meansof triangularly spaced set screws 96 projecting through that wall andagainst the shim. This axial adjustment permits a degree of control overthe pressure between all elements of the primary drum assembly 64 aswell as a degree of control of the axial position of these elementsalong the support shaft 60. If desired a similar adjustment may beprovided on the other shim 78.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that rotation of the inputgear 58 will normally result in rotation of both of the primary drums202 and 402 in the same direction due to the frictional fittings.However, if one of the drums, e.g. drum 202, were held stationary, onlythe other drum 402 would rotate. Thus, the caged balls 70 provide a slipclutch connection between the two drums 202 and 402 and the projection66.

The primary drums 202 and 402 may be provided respectively on theiraxially outward faces remote from the cage 68 and balls 70 with integralspur gears 210 and 410. These gears have substantially the same pitchdiameter as the input spur gear 58 and provide the first stage of thedriving connection between the primary drum subassembly 58 and thesecondary drum subassembly 66 (FIG. 7).

This secondary drum system includes tape drive drums 212 and 412, eachprovided with a plurality of circumferentially projecting and radiallyspaced sprocket teeth 214 and 414 which cooperate with sprocket holes(not shown) in the tapes 8 and 10 to feed these tapes in response todrum rotation.

lntegrally attached to the drum 212 and coaxial therewith, is asecondary drum system driven spur gear 216. The spur gear 216 is drivenfrom an idler gear 218 (FIG. 4) rotatably mounted on a support shaft 97fixed in the opposite rearward portions 98 and 100 of the housing (FIGS.2 and 3). The idler gear 218, the primary drive spur gear 210 and thesecondary driven spur gear 216 may be substantially coplanar.

lntegrally attached to the other tape drive drum 412 and coaxialtherewith is another secondary drum system driven spur gear 416. Thisspur gear 416 may be driven from the primary drive spur gear 410 bymeans of an interposed idler gear 418 (FIG. 3) rotatably mounted on theidler gear support shaft 97. These three gears 410, 416 and 418 may alsobe coplanar.

The drum 412, and its associated driven gear 416, may be mounted forrotation together about a secondary drum system support shaft 102substantially fixed in spaced apertures 104 and 106 in the rearwardsidewall portions 98 and 100 of the housing 2. An axially outward,annular projection 419 integral with the drum 412 telescopingly receivesthe support shaft 102 about which the projection 419 rotates androtatably supports the other secondary drum 212 and its associated spurgear 216.

REferring now to FIG. 10, the endless tapes 8 and 10 are shown aspassing around the schematically illustrated tape drive drums of thesecondary drum system 66. Rotation of these drums 212 and 412 results inmovement of the tapes by engagement of the sprocket teeth 214 and 414with sprocket holes in the tapes (not shown). The forward mounting forthe tapes will be hereinafter described in further detail.

THE LATCHING MEANS As previously described, input rotation of the knob 6would normally result in rotation of both of the primary drums 202 and402. The primary drums rotation is converted respectively into rotationof the secondary tape drive drums 212 and 412 by means of the geartrains 210-218-218 and 410-418-416 (FIG. 3). However, a first stop meansis provided to normally maintain one of the tape drive drums 412, andthereby the tape 8 and the primary drum 202, in a substantiallystationary or latched position.

This stop means is provided by a pin 420 (FIG. 4 and 9) selectivelyengageable with a plurality of notches 422 circumferentially spacedabout the outer periphery of a stop control drum 424 (FIG. 7). This drum424 is suitably mounted for rotation with the inner tape drive drum 412,e.g. by a shrink fitting 425, to the drum projection 419 subsequently torotatably mounting the outer tape drive drum 212 and its attached partson that projection 419. It will be appreciated that any other suitableconnection between the control drum 424 and the tape drive drum 412 willsuffice so long as no substantial relative movement (rotation) betweenthem is permitted.

The pin 420 is fixedly mounted on and projects transversely from a slidemember 426. This slide member 426 is mounted for reciprocal translationin a trackway 428 provided by the facing walls 430 and 432 of paralleland spaced-inward projections 434 and 436 on the rear sidewall 98 and aguide slot 437 in the rear wall 108 (FIG. 4). The slide member 426 isnormally biased forwardly, for example, by means of a cantilevered,vertical leaf spring member 438 at the rear of the housing (FIG. 2). Inits forwardly biased position, the pin 420 is engaged in one of theslots 422 to thereby prevent rotation of the stop control drum 424, and,therefore, the tape drive drum 412 and its associated primary drum 402.Thus, the initial driving force provided from the input spur gear 58results in only movement of the secondary drum 202 and its driven tape10. The previously described slip clutch connection at the primary drumsubassembly permits the relative movement between primary drums 202 and402.

A second movable and generally L-shaped stop member 224 (see FIG. 7)provides both a means for limiting the movement of the tape 10 and themeans for releasing the stop control drum 424 to permit movement of thetape 8 by its drive drum 412. This stop member comprises an elongatedbody portion 226 provided with an annular generally centrally locatedstub 228 that is mounted for rotation about the secondary drum supportshaft 102. The stub 228 projects axially along the shaft 102 and issnugly, but rotatably received in the wall opening 104 in the sidewall98. A leg portion 230 of stop member 224 is located at the top thereofand projects inwardly from the sidewall 98 over the control drum 424 andover an adjacent control drum 232 (FIG. 7).

This latter control drum 232 is mounted for rotation about the drumprojection 419 with the tape drive drum 212 and the driven gear 216. Thedrums 232 and 212 and the gear 216 may be integral, or they may beconnected, for example, by means of a pin 234.

The range of permitted rotation of the control drum 232, and thereby thetape drive drum 212 and tape 10, is controlled by the placement of twocircumferentially spaced-pins 236 and 238 (FIGS. 4 and 9) projectingoutwardly from the periphery of the control drum 232. As the controldrum 232 rotates with the tape drive drum 212, one of the pins, e.g. pin236 as shown in FIG. 9, eventually engages the side of the leg 230 ofthe stop member 224 and causes the stop member 224 to pivot about thesupport shaft 102. Continued rotation of the control drum 232 moves thesidewall of the stop member pivot leg 226 into abutting engagement witha complementary pair of tapered fixed stop abutments 240, 242, 244 and246 provided along the boundaries of an open faced pivot slot 248 (FIG.2) defined on the internal portion of the wall 98.

After engagement of the stop member 224 with the tapered portions 240and 242, the engagement of the pin 236 with the leg 230 prevents furtherrotation of the drum 232 toward those portions. However, the drum 232may rotate in the reverse direction until the other pin 238 stops thedrum by forcing the stop member 226 into abutment with the taperedsurfaces 244 and 246. Since the tape drive drum 212 is fixed to thecontrol drum 232, the movement of the tape 10 is thus limited in bothdirections.

In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the movement of the tape 10is constrained between the and positions. However, the pins 236 and 238may be spaced to permit greater or lesser movement as desired. Moreover,a single pin may be employed to permit approximately full cyclerotation.

As the pivotable stop member 224 pivots toward the tapered stop abutmentportions, either the upper portion 249 or the lower portion 250 of thesidewall of the pivotable stop leg 226 (FIG. 4) cams against the upperinner corner 252 or the lower inner corner 254 of the slidable stopmember 426 depending upon the direction of rotation of the tape drivedrum 212 and the control drum 232. This action moves the slidable stopmember 426 in the slot 428 against the bias of spring 438 and disengagesthe locking pin 420 from the other control drum 424 thereby permittingthe rotation thereof.

One tape drive drum may thus be constantly restrained against rotationin one direction while the other tape drive drum is permitted to rotateby the alternately operable latching means.

It will be appreciated that the secondary drum subassembly and stopmeans for the tapes [8 and may be constructed similarly to that of thetapes 8 and 10. A roller bearing assembly 109 may be provided toseparate the two sets of drum subassemblies and to permit relativerotation therebetween. Furthermore, shims may, if desired, be positionedto adjust the axial spacing of the drums along the axis 110 defined bythe shaft 102.

Accurate indexing of the tapes may be facilitated by ball and socketindexing between the secondary drums.

THE TAPE MOUNTING AND MISCELLANEOUS HOUSING PARTS Referring nowparticularly to FIGS. 5 and 10, the secondary drum subassembly 66, shownschematically in FIG. 10, may be provided with sprocket teeth 214 and414 cooperating with sprocket holes (not shown) in tapes 8 and 10. Theendless tapes 8 and 10 extend to the rear of the housing 2 about thissubassembly 66 and to the forward end of the housing where they arelooped about forward tape guides provided by shouldered shafts 112, 114,116 and 118. These shafts may be mounted generally parallel to oneanother with the ends thereof received in plastic mounting blocks and122 secured to the rear part of the forward wall 16. Two shafts 112 and114 may be spaced above the clear plastic window 124, while theremaining shafts 116 and 118 are spaced below, so that the generallystraight portions of tapes pass in front window panels 12, 13, 14 and 15described in connection with FIG. 1.

The tape 10 may pass around the shaft guide portions 126 and 128approximately equal in extent to the width of the tape. These portionsmay be respectively formed by annular shoulders on the shafts 114 and116 and the other tapes may be similarly mounted. The tapes 8 and 10 mayall be the same length and may be interchangeably positionable due tothe equal spacing of the shafts as shown. Furthermore, the shafts 114and 116 may be rotatably mounted in the blocks 120 and 122 to minimizefriction between the tapes and shafts. If desired, the tapes mayalternatively be looped directly about the primary drums rather thanabout the shafts 112, 114, 116 and 118.

The window 124 may be illuminated by means of a plurality of lamps eachsupported by a bracket 132 (FIG. 2). These brackets may be generallyU-shaped and may be provided with flanged legs 134 secured to the blocks120 and 122 by any suitable means, such as screws 136. The lamps 130 maybe contacted by leaf springs 138 mounted on the rear of the brackets bygrommets 140. These springs 138 may, in turn, be electrically connectedto a suitable power source to provide energy for the lamps 130.

The previously identified sidewall, rear wall and front wall portions52, 62, 98, 16 and 108 may, in the preferred embodiment, be mounted onand secured to a base member 111. The sidewalls may be attached togetherby means of spaced cross bars 142, 144, 146 and 148 (FIG. 3) and theentire control head may thus be readily disassembled for maintenanceand/or repairs.

OPERATION Operation of the device will be described with respect to themanual rotation of the control knob 6. Clockwise rotation of the knob 6results in input rotation of the input gear 50 in a manner previouslydescribed, which tends to rotate both of the primary drums 202 and 402.However, since the stop control drum 422 is normally latched by the pin420 on the spring biased slide member 426, only the drum 202 willrotate.

Rotation of the drum 202 results, through the gear train 210-208-216, inrotation of the secondary tape drive drum 212, and thus the tape 10.After the predetermined amount of clockwise rotation, the pin 236 on thecontrol drum 232 will engage the leg 230 of the pivotable stop member224 and move that stop member into abutment with the tapered stopsurfaces 240 and 242 (FIG. 9). Further clockwise rotation of the tapedrive for tape 10 is thereafter precluded. However, continued clockwiserotation of the knob will now result in movement of the tape 8, sincethe stop member 426 has been cammed out of locking engagement with theother control drum 424.

The gear train 410-418-416 is then operative to position the tape 8through clockwise tape rotation. In the preferred embodiment, when thefull numerical scale limit of the tape 8 has been reached, a pin (notshown) projecting from the drum 424 may engage either the top or bottomsurfaces 429 and 431 of a stationary stop 427 (see FIG. 4) on a crossbar146.

At the point of engagement between the pin and the tapered surface, theknob 6 cannot continue to rotate in the clockwise direction, since bothcontrol drums 202 and 402 are locked. It will, however, be appreciatedthat the latter stop for control drum 424 may be eliminated and merelyserves as a reminder that the length of the tape 8 has been traversed.

In any event, counterclockwise rotation of the control knob 6 results inmovement of the tape 10 while the spring bias provided by the leafspring 438 moves the pin 230 into engagement with another of the slots42 to latch the drum 424. This drum 424 is thereby prevented fromrotating while the other tape reverse rotates until the tapered stops244 and 246 are engaged by the pivotable stop 224.

Selection of an operating frequency without reference to the mechanicalmovements involved, may now be readily described. If it is assumed thattapes 8 and 10 are set at 270 kilocycles with the reading initially at430 kilocycles, the control knob 6 may be rotated counterclockwise untilthe tape 10 registers after which continued clockwise rotation of thecontrol knob 6 permits tape 8 to be rotated to 2." The reverse rotationof the control knob 6 thereafter permits the tape 8 to be set at 7"without unlatching the tape 8. The machine readable indicia of the tapes8 and 10 may control the appropriate switching mechanism to tune theremote circuit.

SUMMARY OF ADVANTAGES AND SCOPE OF THE lNVENTlON The present inventionthus provides a mechanical movement which is particularly advantageousin the remote control of tuners. Of particular significance is the factthat a single rotatable input controls two separate rotatable outputs.

Also of importance is the fact that the controlled output provides bothvisual indication of angular output position and remote control for anappropriate switching mechanism.

It will be apparent that forms of latching means other than thatdescribed, may be provided so long as rotation of one output ispermitted while rotation of the other output is prevented.

Moreover, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that theentire primary or secondary drum subassembly may be dispensed with, inwhich case the latching means would be associated with the remainingdrum assembly and the drums themselves may be provided with the visibleand machine readable indicia as previously described. If, for example,the secondary drum assembly only were employed, the input gear 58 couldbe mounted coaxially with and coupled to the shaft 419.

This shaft 4119 might then be shaped as the shaft 66 and be providedwith the caged ball slip clutch to frictionally couple drums 212 and 412as described in connection with the coupling of the drums 202 and 402rather than being integral with the drum 412. Of course, locking of thedrum 412 by means of the locking drum 424 would then be precluded, butthe slide 426 could be provided with a lateral arm having a projectingpin biased directly into engagement with notches provided directly onthe drum 412. Since the contact block pickup 21 could be moved to theupper portion of the housing 2 as previously described, it would notinterfere with the lateral extension on the slide 426.

Although the invention has been described with reference to onepreferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat additions, modifications, substitutions, deletions and otherchanges not specifically described may be made within the spirit of theinvention as defined in the following claims.

lclaim:

l. The method of adjusting the angular position of two drums, one ofwhich having a limited degree of rotational freedom, comprising thesteps of:

a. rotating said one drum in a first direction to the limit of itsrotational freedom while preventing rotation of the other of said drums,

b. rotating said other drum in said first direction while holding saidone drum at the limits of its rotational freedom in said firstdirection, and

c. rotating said one drum in the reverse direction to an angularposition within the limits of its rotational freedom while preventingrotation of said other drum.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein: the step of rotating saidother drum in said first direction is performed responsively to movementof said one drum to the limits of its rotational freedom.

3. A mechanical movement comprising:

first and second rotary outputs,

rotary input means for independently rotating said outputs,

and

means responsive to rotation of said input means to a predeterminedangular position in one direction for rotation of one of said outputmeans in a first direction, said means being responsive to continuedrotation of said input means in said one direction for rotation of theother of said output means in said first direction, said means beingresponsive to rotation of said input means to a predetermined angularposition in a direction opposite to said one direction for rotation ofsaid one output means in a direction opposite to said first direction,said means being responsive to continued rotation of said input means insaid opposite direction for rotating said other output means in saidopposite direction.

4. A mechanical movement according to claim 3 including means forlimiting the rotation of both of said rotary outputs and said rotaryinput, the rotational freedom of one of said rotary outputs beingsubstantially greater than the rotational freedom of the other of saidrotary outputs.

5. A mechanical movement comprising:

first and second rotary outputs,

rotary input means for independently rotating said outputs,

and

latching means operable for selectively preventing the rotation of oneof said rotary outputs while permitting rotation of the other of saidrotary outputs, and for alternately preventing the rotation of saidother rotary output while permitting rotation of said one rotary output,

said first and second rotary outputs each comprising a drum systemincluding first and second drums, said first drums being mounted forrotation in response to rotation of said rotary input means, said seconddrums being mounted for rotation in response to the rotation of thefirst drum of the respective drum system,

said alternately operable latching means including:

a first movable stop member biased toward a first position wherein thesecond drum of one of said drum systems is latched and being movable toa second position out of engagement with the second drum of said onedrum system,

a second movable stop member movable between a first position whereinthe second drum of the other of said drum systems is prevented fromrotating in a first direction, and a second position wherein the seconddrum of said other drum system is permitted to rotate in said firstdirection,

said second movable stop member including means responsive to thelatching of the second drum of said other drum system for moving saidfirst movable stop member to its second position.

6. A mechanical movement according to claim 5 including:

means on the second drum of said other drum system for moving saidsecond movable stop member to its first position.

7. A mechanical movement according to claim 5 wherein:

said second movable stop member is movable to a third position whereinthe second drum of said drum system is prevented from rotating in asecond direction, and

wherein the second drum of said other drum system includes means formoving said second movable stop between said first and third positions,said first movable stop member being movable to said second position inresponse to movement of said second movable stop member to one of saidfirst and third positions.

8. Apparatus comprising:

a control member movable in two opposite directions,

first and second tapes each movable in two opposite directionsresponsively to movement of said control member, and

latching means for substantially preventing movement of one of saidtapes while permitting movement of the other of said tapes in a firstdirection, said latching means being operable in response to movement ofsaid control member to permit movement of said other tape in said onedirection while substantially preventing movement of said one tape.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 including means for visuallyindicating the position of each of said tapes and for generating anelectrical signal representative of the position of each of said tapes.

10. Apparatus comprising:

a rotary input,

two rotary outputs, each independently rotatable in response to rotationof said rotary input,

first stop means normally biased to a position to prevent rotation ofone of said rotary outputs while permitting rotation of the other ofsaid outputs within predetermined angular limits,

second stop means for preventing rotation of the other of said outputsbeyond said predetermined angular limits, and

means responsive to the engagement of said other output with said secondstop means for releasing said first stop means to thereby permitrotation of said one rotary output.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 including:

two tapes, each respectively movable in response to movement of one ofsaid outputs, each of said tapes including visible indicia forindicating the position of the tape and machine readable indicia; and

means responsive to said machine readable indicia for generating anelectrical signal representative of the position of each of said tapes.

12. Apparatusaccording to claim 10 wherein said second stop meanscomprises:

an elongated lever pivotable about an axis passing through a pointintermediate the ends thereof,

abutment means to prevent pivotal movement of said lever beyondpredetermined limits, and

means operatively connected to said other outputfor pivoting said leverbetween said abutment means and for preventing rotation of said otheroutput beyond said predetermined limits.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 including:

two tapes, each respectively movable in response to movement of one ofsaid outputs, each of said tapes including visible indicia forindicating the position of the tape and machine readable indicia; and

means responsive to said machine readable indicia for generating anelectrical signal representative of the position of each of said tapes.

14. A mechanical movement comprising:

first and second rotary outputs,

rotary input means for independently rotating said outputs,

and

latching means operable responsively to said rotary input means forselectively preventing the rotation of one of said rotary outputs whilepermitting rotation of the other of said rotary outputs, and foralternately preventing the rotation of said other rotary output whilepermitting rotation of said one rotary output, said first and secondrotary outputs each comprising a drum system including first and seconddrums,

said first drums being mounted for rotation in response to rotation ofsaid rotary input means,

said second drums being mounted for rotation in response to the rotationof the first drum of the respective drum system.

15. A mechanical movement comprising:

first and second rotary outputs,

rotary input means for independently rotating said outputs,

and

latching means operable responsively to said rotary input means forselectively preventing the rotation of one of said rotary outputs whilepermitting rotation of the other of said rotary outputs, and foralternately preventing the rotation of said other rotary output whilepermitting rotation of said one rotary output,

said alternately operable latching means including:

a first movable stop member biased toward a first position wherein thesecond drum of one of said drum systems is latched and being movable toa second position out of engagement with the second drum of said onedrum system,

a second movable stop member movable between a first position whereinthe second drum of the other of said drum systems is prevented fromrotating in a first direction, and a second position wherein the seconddrum of said other drum system is permitted to rotate in said firstdirection,

said second movable stop member including means responsive to thelatching of the second drum of said other drum system for moving saidfirst movable stop member to its second position;

wherein said latching means is operable in response to the angularposition of said rotary input; and

including means for limiting the rotation of both of said rotary outputsand said rotary input, the rotational freedom of one of said rotaryoutputs being substantially greater than the rotational freedom of theother of said rotary outputs.

1. The method of adjusting the angular position of two drums, one ofwhich having a limited degree of rotational freedom, comprising thesteps of: a. rotating said one drum in a first direction to the limit ofits rotational freedom while preventing rotation of the other of saiddrums, b. rotating said other drum in said first direction while holdingsaid one drum at the limits of its rotational freedom in said firstdirection, and c. rotating said one drum in the reverse direction to anangular position within the limits of its rotational freedom whilepreventing rotation of said other drum.
 2. The method according to claim1 wherein: the step of rotating said other drum in said first directionis performed responsively to movement of said one drum to the limits ofits rotational freedom.
 3. A mechanical movement comprising: first andsecond rotary outputs, rotary input means for independently rotatingsaid outputs, and means responsive to rotation of said input means to apredetermined angular position in one direction for rotation of one ofsaid output means in a first direction, said means being responsive tocontinued rotation of said input means in said one direction forrotation of the other of said output means in said first direction, saidmeans being responsive to rotation of said input means to apredetermined angular position in a direction opposite to said onedirection for rotation of said one output means in a direction oppositeto said first direction, said means being responsive to continuedrotation of said input means in said opposite direction for rotatingsaid other output means in said opposite direction.
 4. A mechanicalmovement according to claim 3 including means for limiting the rotationof both of said rotary outputs and said rotary input, the rotationalfreedom of one of said rotary outputs being substantially greater thanThe rotational freedom of the other of said rotary outputs.
 5. Amechanical movement comprising: first and second rotary outputs, rotaryinput means for independently rotating said outputs, and latching meansoperable for selectively preventing the rotation of one of said rotaryoutputs while permitting rotation of the other of said rotary outputs,and for alternately preventing the rotation of said other rotary outputwhile permitting rotation of said one rotary output, said first andsecond rotary outputs each comprising a drum system including first andsecond drums, said first drums being mounted for rotation in response torotation of said rotary input means, said second drums being mounted forrotation in response to the rotation of the first drum of the respectivedrum system, said alternately operable latching means including: a firstmovable stop member biased toward a first position wherein the seconddrum of one of said drum systems is latched and being movable to asecond position out of engagement with the second drum of said one drumsystem, a second movable stop member movable between a first positionwherein the second drum of the other of said drum systems is preventedfrom rotating in a first direction, and a second position wherein thesecond drum of said other drum system is permitted to rotate in saidfirst direction, said second movable stop member including meansresponsive to the latching of the second drum of said other drum systemfor moving said first movable stop member to its second position.
 6. Amechanical movement according to claim 5 including: means on the seconddrum of said other drum system for moving said second movable stopmember to its first position.
 7. A mechanical movement according toclaim 5 wherein: said second movable stop member is movable to a thirdposition wherein the second drum of said drum system is prevented fromrotating in a second direction, and wherein the second drum of saidother drum system includes means for moving said second movable stopbetween said first and third positions, said first movable stop memberbeing movable to said second position in response to movement of saidsecond movable stop member to one of said first and third positions. 8.Apparatus comprising: a control member movable in two oppositedirections, first and second tapes each movable in two oppositedirections responsively to movement of said control member, and latchingmeans for substantially preventing movement of one of said tapes whilepermitting movement of the other of said tapes in a first direction,said latching means being operable in response to movement of saidcontrol member to permit movement of said other tape in said onedirection while substantially preventing movement of said one tape. 9.Apparatus according to claim 8 including means for visually indicatingthe position of each of said tapes and for generating an electricalsignal representative of the position of each of said tapes. 10.Apparatus comprising: a rotary input, two rotary outputs, eachindependently rotatable in response to rotation of said rotary input,first stop means normally biased to a position to prevent rotation ofone of said rotary outputs while permitting rotation of the other ofsaid outputs within predetermined angular limits, second stop means forpreventing rotation of the other of said outputs beyond saidpredetermined angular limits, and means responsive to the engagement ofsaid other output with said second stop means for releasing said firststop means to thereby permit rotation of said one rotary output. 11.Apparatus according to claim 10 including: two tapes, each respectivelymovable in response to movement of one of said outputs, each of saidtapes including visible indicia for indicating the position of the tapeand machine readable indicia; and means responsive to said machinereadable indicIa for generating an electrical signal representative ofthe position of each of said tapes.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 10wherein said second stop means comprises: an elongated lever pivotableabout an axis passing through a point intermediate the ends thereof,abutment means to prevent pivotal movement of said lever beyondpredetermined limits, and means operatively connected to said otheroutput for pivoting said lever between said abutment means and forpreventing rotation of said other output beyond said predeterminedlimits.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12 including: two tapes, eachrespectively movable in response to movement of one of said outputs,each of said tapes including visible indicia for indicating the positionof the tape and machine readable indicia; and means responsive to saidmachine readable indicia for generating an electrical signalrepresentative of the position of each of said tapes.
 14. A mechanicalmovement comprising: first and second rotary outputs, rotary input meansfor independently rotating said outputs, and latching means operableresponsively to said rotary input means for selectively preventing therotation of one of said rotary outputs while permitting rotation of theother of said rotary outputs, and for alternately preventing therotation of said other rotary output while permitting rotation of saidone rotary output, said first and second rotary outputs each comprisinga drum system including first and second drums, said first drums beingmounted for rotation in response to rotation of said rotary input means,said second drums being mounted for rotation in response to the rotationof the first drum of the respective drum system.
 15. A mechanicalmovement comprising: first and second rotary outputs, rotary input meansfor independently rotating said outputs, and latching means operableresponsively to said rotary input means for selectively preventing therotation of one of said rotary outputs while permitting rotation of theother of said rotary outputs, and for alternately preventing therotation of said other rotary output while permitting rotation of saidone rotary output, said alternately operable latching means including: afirst movable stop member biased toward a first position wherein thesecond drum of one of said drum systems is latched and being movable toa second position out of engagement with the second drum of said onedrum system, a second movable stop member movable between a firstposition wherein the second drum of the other of said drum systems isprevented from rotating in a first direction, and a second positionwherein the second drum of said other drum system is permitted to rotatein said first direction, said second movable stop member including meansresponsive to the latching of the second drum of said other drum systemfor moving said first movable stop member to its second position;wherein said latching means is operable in response to the angularposition of said rotary input; and including means for limiting therotation of both of said rotary outputs and said rotary input, therotational freedom of one of said rotary outputs being substantiallygreater than the rotational freedom of the other of said rotary outputs.